The word secular appeared in article 25 2 (a) of the constitution of India. Secularism means equidistance of the state towards all religions. Secularism means separation of religion from politics.

4. B

5. A

Even though the word socialist was added in preamble by 42nd amendment act in 1976, our original constitution reflected socialistic principles. Distributive justice is a part of socialist societies.

6. A

7. B

8. B

9. B

10. D

11. C

12. C

Union of India is a federal system with a unitary bias.

Federal features of the constitution include: two government, division of powers, written Constitution, supremacy of Constitution, rigidity of Constitution, independent judiciary and bicameralism.

Unitary features of the constitution include: strong Centre, single Constitution, single citizenship, flexibility of Constitution, integrated judiciary, appointment of state governor by the Centre, all-India services, emergency provisions etc.

13.C

The Preamble given in the Constitution is not enforceable in the courts, but is of paramount importance where it describes the aims of governance and was incorporated from the commencement of the Constitution, only a few words like Socialist, Secular and Integrity were added in the Preamble by 42nd Amendment.

14. D

Bill to this effect may be introduced in either house of Parliament only on the recommendation of president. Bill should be referred by the president to the legislatures of state for expressing views within period specified. Opinion of legislature is not binding on the president. The bill needs to be passed by parliament by simple majority.

15.C

Union of India infers states that share federal powers with the Union government. The term “Union” signifies though the country and the people may be divided into different states for convenience of administration, the country is one integral whole.

16.D

Parliament is empowered to lay down that as regards any particular class of employment under a state or union territory residence within that state or union territory shall be necessary qualification. Parliament would be sole authority and state legislatures shall have no voice.

17. C

Dr. Ambedkar preferred using ‘Union’ instead of ‘federation’ because Indian federation is not result of agreement between the units of which it is made of. The country is one integral whole, though the country and people may be divided into different states for convenience of administration. The expression India is ‘union of states’ was chosen as India was already a union at the time of constituent assembly debates.

18. C

According to Article 2 of constitution of India parliament may by law admit into the union, or establish, new states on such terms and conditions, as it thinks fit. According to article 3 of constitution of India parliament may by law allow formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing states.

19. B

The State of Madras was renamed as Tamil Nadu, while Goa was separated from Daman and Diu in 1987 and The State of Bombay was split into Gujarat and Maharashtra. Himachal Pradesh was previously in the list of Union Territories, became state in 1971.

20. D

Territory of India’ is a wider expression than the ‘Union of India’ because the latter includes only states while the former includes not only the states but also union territories and territories that may be acquired by the Government of India at any future time.

Being a sovereign state, India can acquire foreign territories according to the modes recognized by international law, i.e., cession (following treaty, purchase, gift, lease or plebiscite), occupation (hitherto unoccupied by a recognized ruler), conquest or subjugation. For example, India acquired several foreign territories such as Dadra and Nagar Haveli; Goa, Daman and Diu; Puducherry; and Sikkim since the commencement of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court held that the power of Parliament to diminish the area of a state (under Article 3) does not cover cession of Indian territory to a foreign country. Hence, Indian territory can be ceded to a foreign state only by amending the Constitution under Article 368